Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. A method of forming a device includes forming a conductive trace over a first substrate, the conductive trace having first tapering sidewalls, forming a conductive bump over a second substrate, the conductive bump having second tapering sidewalls and a first surface distal the second substrate, and attaching the conductive bump to the conductive trace via a solder region. The solder region extends from the first surface of the conductive bump to the first substrate, and covers the first tapering sidewalls of the conductive trace. The second tapering sidewalls of the conductive bump are free of the solder region.

Abstract: An embodiment ladder bump structure includes an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature supported by a substrate, a copper pillar mounted on the UBM feature, the copper pillar having a tapering curved profile, which has a larger bottom critical dimension (CD) than a top critical dimension (CD) in an embodiment, a metal cap mounted on the copper pillar, and a solder feature mounted on the metal cap.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal bump on the under bump metallurgy feature, and a substrate trace on a substrate, the substrate trace coupled to the metal bump through a solder joint and intermetallic compounds, a ratio of a first cross sectional area of the intermetallic compounds to a second cross sectional area of the solder joint greater than forty percent.

Abstract: A bump structure includes a contact element formed on a substrate and a passivation layer overlying the substrate. The passivation layer includes a passivation opening exposing the contact element. The bump structure also includes a polyimide layer overlying the passivation layer and an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element. The polyimide layer has a polyimide opening exposing the contact element, and the under bump metallurgy feature has a UBM width. The bump structure further includes a copper pillar on the under bump metallurgy feature. A distal end of the copper pillar has a pillar width, and the UBM width is greater than the pillar width.

Abstract: A bump-on-trace interconnection structure utilizing a lower volume solder joint for joining a conductive metal pillar and a metal line trace includes a conductive metal pillar having a bonding surface having a width WP and a metal line trace, provided on a package substrate, having a top surface with a width WT, where WP is greater than WT. The solder joint is bonded to the bonding surface by wetting across the width WP and bonded predominantly only to the top surface of the metal line trace by wetting predominantly only to the top surface across the width WT.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. A method of forming a device includes forming a conductive trace over a first substrate, the conductive trace having first tapering sidewalls, forming a conductive bump over a second substrate, the conductive bump having second tapering sidewalls and a first surface distal the second substrate, and attaching the conductive bump to the conductive trace via a solder region. The solder region extends from the first surface of the conductive bump to the first substrate, and covers the first tapering sidewalls of the conductive trace. The second tapering sidewalls of the conductive bump are free of the solder region.

Abstract: A structure comprises a first passivation layer formed over a substrate, a second passivation layer formed over the first passivation layer, wherein the second passivation layer includes a first opening with a first dimension, a bond pad embedded in the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer, a protection layer formed on the second passivation layer comprising a second opening with a second dimension, wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension and a connector formed on the bond pad.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate and conductive traces disposed over the substrate. Each of the conductive traces has a bottom region proximate the substrate and a top region opposite the bottom region. The top region has a first width and the bottom region has a second width. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: A bump structure includes a contact element formed on a substrate and a passivation layer overlying the substrate. The passivation layer includes a passivation opening exposing the contact element. The bump structure also includes a polyimide layer overlying the passivation layer and an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element. The polyimide layer has a polyimide opening exposing the contact element, and the under bump metallurgy feature has a UBM width. The bump structure further includes a copper pillar on the under bump metallurgy feature. A distal end of the copper pillar has a pillar width, and the UBM width is greater than the pillar width.

Abstract: A package and method of making the package are provided. An embodiment package includes an integrated circuit supporting a conductive pillar, a substrate having a landing pad on each embedded metal trace, a landing pad width greater than a corresponding embedded metal trace width, and a conductive material electrically coupling the conductive pillar to the landing pad. In an embodiment, the landing pad overlaps the metal trace in one direction.

Abstract: A bump structure includes a contact element formed on a substrate and a passivation layer overlying the substrate. The passivation layer includes a passivation opening exposing the contact element. The bump structure also includes a polyimide layer overlying the passivation layer and an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element. The polyimide layer has a polyimide opening exposing the contact element, and the under bump metallurgy feature has a UBM width. The bump structure further includes a copper pillar on the under bump metallurgy feature. A distal end of the copper pillar has a pillar width, and the UBM width is greater than the pillar width.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal ladder bump mounted on the under bump metallurgy feature, the metal ladder bump having a first tapering profile, and a substrate trace mounted on a substrate, the substrate trace having a second tapering profile and coupled to the metal ladder bump through direct metal-to-metal bonding. An embodiment chip-to-chip structure may be fabricated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: An embodiment bump on trace (BOT) structure includes a contact element supported by an integrated circuit, an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element, a metal bump on the under bump metallurgy feature, and a substrate trace on a substrate, the substrate trace coupled to the metal bump through a solder joint and intermetallic compounds, a ratio of a first cross sectional area of the intermetallic compounds to a second cross sectional area of the solder joint greater than forty percent.

Abstract: A bump structure includes a contact element formed on a substrate and a passivation layer overlying the substrate. The passivation layer includes a passivation opening exposing the contact element. The bump structure also includes a polyimide layer overlying the passivation layer and an under bump metallurgy (UBM) feature electrically coupled to the contact element. The polyimide layer has a polyimide opening exposing the contact element, and the under bump metallurgy feature has a UBM width. The bump structure further includes a copper pillar on the under bump metallurgy feature. A distal end of the copper pillar has a pillar width, and the UBM width is greater than the pillar width.